Dark Circles: Prevention and Treatment

Dark Circles: Prevention and Treatment

Dark circles under eyes can make you look old, unhealthy, and exhausted, even if you're young, healthy, and well-rested. Learn about the causes of dark circles, what you can do to prevent them, and how to

minimize their appearance with home or medical treatments.

A great deal of folklore is associated with dark circles under the eyes, also known as "eye circles," "allergic shiners," and "raccoon attacks." People often assume that these bluish or grayish blemishes are the result of too much partying or an unhealthy constitution.

In most cases, though, dark circles aren't a sign of anything sinister. Since even children get them, they aren't even necessarily a sign of aging.

Still, there's no doubt that dark circles can make you look older and unhealthier than you are. By taking certain precautions, you may be able to prevent dark circles from forming. If these measures don't work, home remedies or medical treatments may be the key to banishing these all-too-common blemishes.

The Causes of Dark Circles

Skin under the eyes is extremely thin — only about half a millimeter thick — so it is naturally likely to take on a blue or grayish tint from the veins that rest beneath. Dark circles may be more noticeable if you have inherited traits such as fair and transparent skin, or deep-set eyes.

Other causes of dark circles include:

·         Allergic conditions such as hay fever or eczema. The associated itchiness often leads to eye rubbing, resulting in what is sometimes called an "allergic shiner."

·         Dehydration.

·        Fatigue.

·         Fluid retention, often caused by smoking; a salt-rich diet; conditions affecting the heart, thyroid, kidney, and liver; or medications that cause blood-vessel dilation.

·         Iron-deficiency anemia.

·         Nasal congestion.

·         Pigmentation disorders, especially in people of color.

·         Sun exposure, which prompts excessive melanin production.

·         Thinning skin. Over time, skin under the eyes loses fat and collagen, which makes dark circles more noticeable.

Prevention of Dark Circles

Strategies for preventing dark circles include:

·         Appropriate treatment of allergies, nasal congestion, and other medical conditions.

·         Adequate fluid intake.

·         Avoidance of smoking, excessive salt intake, and sun exposure.

·         Eating foods rich in vitamin C. These include cranberries, blueberries, bilberries, tea (green or black), black currants, onions, legumes, and parsley, and dietary supplements such as grape seed extract and Pycnogenol .

Home Treatment of Dark Circles

Time-honored home treatments, which may temporarily reduce the appearance of dark circles, include the regular application of cool cucumber slices, raw potato slices, or tea bags under the eyes for 15 minutes at a time. Other possibly effective applications include:

·         Preparation H cream, a hemorrhoid treatment that may tighten skin and decrease the appearance of eye bags.

·         Creams containing vitamins C, K, E, or retinol.

Dermatologists also recommend propping extra pillows beneath your head while you sleep to prevent fluid accumulation under your eyes, rinsing congested nasal passages with a saline solution, and applying peach-colored concealers to hide bluish-colored circles. Be aware that scented cosmetics, and those containing glycolic acid or salicylic acid, may exacerbate dark circles.

Medical Treatments for Dark Circles

If preventive and home-treatment measures don't work, talk to your doctor or dermatologist. She may recommend any of the following:

·        Prescription-strength creams.

·        Chemical peels.

·        Injectable wrinkle fillers.

·        Laser therapy.

·        Eyelift surgery.

Dark circles can affect anyone and exact a toll on their self-esteem. Although it's not always possible to prevent these bluish and grayish blemishes, home and medical treatments can help erase the raccoon look and allow the real you to shine through.

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